Day 5 - JGI tours and Gombe arrival!

Rise and shine is always early in Tanzania. We must get up, and get moving for the day's adventure. It's always easy though, the days are always filled with so much excitement there is much to look forward to!

Today we were met by well-known chimpanzee conservationists Dr. Shadrack Kemenya and Fedhili Mlacha who represented the Jane Goodall Institute. They were our tour guides for the day! What a treat! We toured local villages where the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) has been working with the local people to help them build sustainable farms in areas that do not disturb the natural vegetation necessary for the chimps. We also visited a coffee production facility where JGI is assisting local farmers to grow, harvest, process and sell their product around the world.

Their work in the local communities has been astounding. Through JGI's conservation efforts the quality of life for the villagers is improving and the once baron mountains are now sprouting new life for the chimps. 

After lunch it was finally time for our boat ride to Gombe National Park! To say I was excited was an understatement! We boarded the wooden boat bound for Gombe and butterflies filled my stomach.

Lake Tanganyika seemed more like an ocean than a lake. The waves splashed against the side of the boat as we made the 2 hour trek up the coast of Tanzania. It was always in the back of my mind that just on the other side of the lake, a mere 30 miles away to the west is the Congo. And to the north only a few miles is Burundi. Both are very unstable countries plagued by war. But today..on this beautiful lake, traveling to the place of my dreams, I'm only filled with pure excitement about what may lay ahead.

We arrive at Gombe just before dusk. Tears fill my eyes as I step onto land. I feel like I'm dreaming! This place is truly magical. I sit on the beach alone with my feet in the water for a few minutes soaking it all in. I still can't believe I'm really here. What an absolute dream come true! 

Our group of 7 is the only group at the camp. Our tents are very nice with canopy beds and running water. We have to eat in a locked dining room to keep the chimps and baboons from stealing the food. (The key even has to be removed from the lock because they know how to use it!) I'm excited to fall asleep to the sounds of the forest. Bernard, our guide told us we would probably hear many sounds throughout the night and baboons on the tops of the tents in the morning. Let the chaos begin...